By Suchita Sail
In the era of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom, virtually every sector is witnessing a transformation powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. AI has become a magical wand, driving technological advancements that are reshaping businesses and improving lives. The telecom sector is a prime example of this smart tech’s disruptive impact, where AI’s influence goes beyond traditional audio calls, text messages, and basic internet services. Instead, it is driving significant progress, aided by IoTs (Internet of Things) and fast broadband services, bringing about a sea change in telecommunications.
According to an industry report, AI in Telecommunication Market was valued at US$ 478.8 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach US$9267.1 Million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 45.1 per cent from 2020 to 2027. In light of this significant technological surge in telecommunications industry, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has taken a proactive step by proposing the establishment of an independent statutory authority dedicated to the sector. The primary objective of this initiative is to foster responsible AI adoption in telecom, empowering the authority with the necessary regulatory powers to ensure ethical and accountable practices.
Trai has recommended the immediate establishment of an independent statutory authority named the ‘Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority of India (AIDAI).’ This proposed authority’s key role would be to foster the responsible development of AI and regulate its diverse use cases within the country.
The telecom regulator has also suggested that an independent statutory authority and a Multi-Stakeholder Body (MSB) will act as an advisory body to the proposed statutory authority. Other suggested tenets of the framework include “categorisation of the AI cases based on their risk and regulating them according to broad principles of responsible AI.”
Partner, Khaitan & Co Harsh Walia said, “Given the rapid development in our technology and telecommunication sector, it seems like a good time to establish a regulatory framework for AI and Big Data in India. The increasing risks associated with AI, such as bias, lack of accountability, surveillance and the potential spread of disinformation, make it imperative to implement measures for the responsible use of advanced technology.”
He said Trai’s approach strikes a balance between regulation and innovation, ensuring the protection of individual rights, safety, and security while also allowing for technological growth to flourish without unnecessary constraints.
Why Is AI Regulation In Telecom Significant?
TechSee’s report reveals that AI has been swiftly embraced in telecommunications, benefiting support networks and customers on a large scale. The study also predicts substantial growth in the global AI telecommunication market, with the market size expected to surge from US$ 11.89 billion in 2020 to US$ 14.99 billion by 2027. This projected growth represents an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42.6 per cent during the period from 2021 to 2027.
Chief Marketing Officer, STL, Manish Sinha,said “An international watchdog keeping tabs on AI could set worldwide benchmarks, enforce responsibility, and tackle transnational hurdles. The goal is not to stifle its growth but rather to guide it toward harnessing its positive potential while curtailing any potential for mass destruction. To ensure that it is used for its intended purpose and in a responsible manner, having a robust framework in place becomes crucial.”
Such a framework can help establish guidelines, regulations, and standards to govern AI’s development, deployment, and usage, ensuring that it aligns with societal values and serves the greater good, Sinha added.
How AIDAI Would Help Telecom Sector
It would create a national-level mechanism to bring the state governments, local bodies and other agencies on board to adopt the national policy on data governance.
AIDAI function will define responsible AI and its applicability to use cases based on risk assessment.
It would design, develop, validate, deploy, monitor and refine each frame of AI’s lifecycle.
The AIDAI’s scope of work would also include recommending a uniform framework within the privacy and other applicable laws and policies for sharing data available with the government and its entities with industry, educational institutes, R&D centres, startups and more.
Other AIDAI dimensions will include developing an AI governance model to guide organisations on deploying AI in a responsible manner and developing model ethical codes for adoption by public and private entities in different sectors.
